Variable-speed mechanism.



A. FAY.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLlCATlON FILED DEC.25, 19H.

Patented July 6, 1915 8 SHEETSSHEET 1.

INVEN TOR.

lV/TNESSES \ARlABLE SPEED MECHANJSM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.26,19!!.

meat-ed July 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR.

A. FAY.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DELZB, I911.

IIVVEN TOR.

Patented July, 6, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3 E Q HPN W'ITNESSES:

VARIABLE SPEED MEcHAmsm APPLICAHON FILED DECKZ6| 91L 1,145,236., laientvd July 6, 1915.

4 r 2 y iv 1/ I m 8 S T SHEET 4.

lV/TNESSES A. FAY.

VARlABLE SPEED MECHANISM,

APPLQCATIONFILED DEC,26, 1911.

Patented July 6, 1915,

8 SHEETSSHET 5.

I? IIIIII W/TJVESSES A. FAY.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHAMSM.

APPLICATION FiLED DEC.26,I9I1.

iaiented July 8, 1915.

[NI EN 7 01?.

#QTNESSES 5&uami L A. FAY.

VAMABLE SPEED MECHANiSIVI.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-26.1911.

Patented July 6, 1915.

8 SHEETSSHEET7 A. FAY.

VARIABLE SPEED MECHANKSM.

Patented July 6, 1915.

APPUCATEON HLED DEC.26.19H.

8 SHEETSSHEET 8.

LEQQZSB [WITNESSES intense.

ALPE'EUS FAY, 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUGKY.

VARiABLE-SPEED MECHANIS2 To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, ALPHEUS FAY, a citi zen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State oi Kentucky, have invented a certain new and useful Variable-Speed Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to gearing, and has for its object the attainment of increased number of variations of speed, as transmit-.

ted from a driving to a driven means, while avoidingobjectionable increase in the number of operating parts.

The further object of my invention is to obtain reversal of the motion through such speed-varying means, and, by simple means, to provide increased number of speed variations in such reverse motion.

My invention consists in the parts, and in the details of construction and arrangement oand the means for its manipulation. Fig. 3

-is a sectional vievvoi a device, similar to that shown in Fig 1 and .2, but having more gears, by which twentysix forward and five reverse speeds are obtained. Fig. 1% is a sectional view of a device for obtaining the reverse motion through an internal'gear, and affording seven forward speeds and two reverse speeds, means i for preventing the locking of the gears beingincluded. Fig. 5 is a sectional view (if a device similar to those shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, but having two lay shafts, by means of which twenty-five forward and six reverse speeds are obtained. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of'e. device, having an internal gear for obtaining the reverse motion, like Fig. 4 illustrates, out having two iay shafts, similar to the device shown in 5, by which fifty-two forward and thirty-three reverse speeds may be obtained. Fig. i is a sectional end elevation illustrat ing a device similar to that shown in Fig. 6 but having three lay shafts, so that one hundred and forty-eight forward and sixty-nine reverse speeds are obtainable. Fig. 8 is a diagram to illustrate the system of enu- Specificstion of Letters latent.

Application filed December 26, 1911. Serial Iqn. $67,789.

nierating the different speeds that are obtained by the device iliustrated in Figs. 6

and Y. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a driii press with a device similar to that shown in Fug. 7 applied thereto. Fig. 10 is a perspeo t ve vie w oi a screw-cutting lathe, with the device nlu str ated in Fig. 8 used to obtain the speed variations and re ersal on the main sp ndle, and a device like that shown in 1* 1g. (3 to drive the iead screw and the piainturning feed at various speeds relative to W those of the spindle. 1 1g. 11 illustrates a dev ce combining; the use of the idier andof the internal gear, anordine six torward and four reverse speeds. the diagram onlv being shown, it being understood that the details may be similar to those illustrated in Figs. 1 and i. d

i The underlying principie of my invention involves the combination of a driving or power shaft and a driven or work shaft with one or more lay or intermediate shafts, and means for effecting variation of speed in the ,motion transmitted, successively. from the power shaftto a iav shaft. and from the icy shaft to the work shaft. wherehv the ratios of speed variation may be compounded. and whereby the number of variations mav equal the product of the successive numbers of speed variations. This principle is herein illustrated by a number of specific cxanipiesg.

a description of which will elucidate the above statement.

in the example illustrated in Fig.5. 1, the

power shaft 1 and the work shaft 2 are aimed, and their ends are ad acent. They have bearings l and 2, rcspectivelv. The

lay shaft 3 is parallel to the shaft i and 2 J n u with bearings 3. Gears 1- and 1 11gldly secured together, are slidable on the power shaft 1, but turn therewith, s c-lined thereon, as shown. Gears 3* and 3 TEglCil secured together, are keyed on the la s 3, so that the gears i and 1 may with them, respectively. Phis' affords two difierent ratios hetween the power and is-y,

shafts.

The work shaft 2 has three gears 2 2 and 2*, keyed on it, and the ieyshaft gears 3, 3 and rigidly together and splined on it. to slide thereon and mesh *ith said gears ff, 2 and 2 respectively. This affords three ditierent ratios between the lay and work shafts.

It will be seen that either ratio between 1 as b11199 the power and lay shaft may be compounded [with any one of three ratios between the lay and work shafts, so that the resultant number of ratios aflorded, from power to work shaft, is six. v

An idler gear 1 turns loosely on a stationary shaft 1, and may be slid thereon by a fork 1 The fork 1 has an arm with a stud 1" received by a slotted head 1 and this head 1 has an arm 1*" that embraces the hub of the gears 1 and-1 When this headand its arm are moved by a crank'l, the gears 1- and 1 move with it, with no lost motion, to mesh the gears. with the gears 3' and 3", respectively. The slot of the head 1 is soproportioned and positioned that the fork 1 will move with-the head immedi- I ately, when the gears 1 and 3* are being unmeshe'd, sliding to the right, as seen in Fig. 1, until the gear 1 meshes with the gear 3. But when the gears are slid to the left, the head 1 will have the gears l and 3 unmeshed before it begins to slide the fork 1 so that the gear 1 will mesh with the idler 1, and then, sliding to .the left continuing, the idler 1 will be meshed with the gear 3 A spring 1 surrounds the shaft 1 and is compressed between one of the two supports 1 of the shaft and the fork 15, to render the movement of the fork certain.

By the means just described, it will be seen that the motion of the lay shaft, and, consequently, that of the work shaft, is reversed without reversing the motion of the power'shaft, by-introducing the idler 1 between the gears 13 and 3 Incidentally, a new ratio is established between the power and layshafts, by connecting the gear 1 to the gear 3 instead of to the gear 3", as was done before. It will be, seen that the reverse motion will be susceptible to three ratios,

from lay shaft to work shaft, through the gears 3 3 or 3 and the gears 2 2 and 2, respectively. Thus, the example of Fig. 1

woul'd afl'ord a'total of six forward and three reverse, speeds by manipulation of the gears above described. The gears 3, 3 and 3 are moved by a fork 3 0n a'sliding head 3*, having a stud 3*" extending through a slot in the support of the head, to which stud a rod 3 is pivoted. 7

To afiord direct connection between the power-and the work shaft, and thus eliminate all the gears from the operation, a suitableclutch 1 is.provided. With this clutch aflording a direct transmission from power to work s aft, the total number of forward speeds 's increased, to seven, the total number' of various conditions of transmission is ten, and, designating these con ditions by S and the gears by G, the relative simplicity of the device may be expressed as follows: 10 S 11 G.

In the modification illustrated in Figsii and 2, above described, the gears secured together are so spaced that the differentcom-,

binations may be made while the parts are in motion, in the well known manner. In Fig. 3,'a simpler arrangement of .the device is shown, each slidable gear being individually slidable; this, as is well known, requires less length of the device, but multiplies the number of means for manipulation. The power shaft 11 and work shaft 12 are alined with the lay shaft 13 parallel to them, and

the shafts 11 and 12 have, respectively, the

gears 11, 11', 11, 11, and 11. and the gears slidable, and each is provided with a fork 11'. The lay shaft has gears 13., 13, 13, 13. and 13, to mesh with the power shaft gears as above mentioned, respectively, and has gears13, 13 13 3-13 and 13 to mesh with the work shaft gears, as mentioned, re-

spectively. Each of these latter gears onthe lay shaft is slidable and has a fork 13'. In this case, the idler 12', is located on the work end of the device, to make connection between the gears 12 and 13 for reversing the motion. A clutch 11 may connect the shafts 11 and 12 directly together. By this device, with five pairs of gears at each end, twentyfive different combinations are available with the use of the above gears.- Usin the clutch provides one more speed, ma g twenty-six forward speeds; and the use of the idler renders the five different combina- 12, 12 12', 12 .and12. The former are I tions at the power end of the device into five reverse speeds at the Work end. Thus, the total number of different conditions of transm1ss1on 1s thirty-one, and, according to the loo previous'desi 'nations, the relative simplicity is: 31 S:22

In Fig. 4, the arrangement is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but an internal gear, at the work end of the device, is substituted for the idler. The power shaft 21 has the gears 21 and 21', rigidly secured together and splined on the shaft, and the work shaft 22 has the gears 22", 22 and 22 keyed on it. The lay shaft 23 has gears23 and 23 keyed on it and separated, so that the gears 21 and 21 may be interchanged,

andi't also has the gears 23, 23 and 23 slidable on it, all rigidly attached together,

to interchange with the gears on the work shaft, as mentioned, respectively. A fork 21 slides the gears 21" and 21 and a fork 23 on a sliding head 23, with stud 23 pivoting a rod 23", moves the gears 23", 23.

while any one of the gears 23 23 or 23 IS 111 mesh, a locking device 18 provided.

The sliding head 23 has an arm 23 with a 23 opening toward the work shaft.

part parallel to the direction of the sliding of the head, and this part has three notches A dog 22 is pivoted to enter either adjacent two of these notches, being located, and the notches being positioned in the arm relative to the location of said dog,'in such a manner that the dog cannot enter the slots unless the three gears above mentioned are in such position that none of them is in mesh with its corresponding gear on the work shaft. The fork 22 has a pin 22, and a cam 23' is mounted to turn with the dog 22* on its pivot. The shape of the cam is such that when the dog enters either "adjacent two of the notches, the fork can move the internal gear 22, but when the dog is outof the notches,'it is locked against the face of the arm and cannot turn, at the same time holdthe relative simplicity may be expressed S: 12 G. It will be seen that the simplicity plk is not as marked 5 s in the previous examples. However, the large internal gearis useful in providing a. considerable reduction in speed on the reverse motion, by its cooperation with the small pinion, as is useful in some applications, as in an automobile truck.

In Fig. 5, the power shaft 31 and work shaft 32 are combined with two parallel and flanking lay shafts 33 and ill, one closer to the shafts 31 and 32 than is,,the other. Gears 31 31 and 31 are keyed on the power shaft, and gears 32 ,32 and 32 are keyed on the work shaft. All the gears on the lay shafts, to mesh with the above mentioned gears, are individually slidable, and, meshing with the above gears, in the order named, are as follows: On the shaft 33, the gears 33 33 and 33, and the gears 33 33 and 33; and on the shaft 34, the gears 3%, 3d and 3%, and the gears 34 34 and 34. An additional gear 3% is provided on the work shaft, and is splined thereon, as. is also an additional gear 33*, to mesh with the gear 3%, splined on the shaft A gear 3%, on the shaft 34, may have the gear 32* meshed with it, and, as showmis integral with the shaft 34. A second additional gear 33 is splined on the shaft 33, and an idler 33 slides on a shaft 53 to mesh with and connect togethef the gear 33* and the aforesaid gear 32 on the Work shaft. All the slidable gears have forks 35. A clutch 31", may connect the shafts 31 and directly, being operated by the fork 31 By combining the three sets of gears at the power end variously with the four sets at the work end, herein", twenty-four various speeds may be obtained, which, withthe direct speed from use of the clutch, amounts to twenty-five speeds; the idler renders the three speeds of the shaft 33 into reverse speeds on the work shaft, so that the total number of different conditions of transmission is twenty-eight,a11d the relative simplicity may be expressed: 28 S: 23 G.

In all of the above e amples, the number of speeds obtainable closely approached or exceeded the number of gears employed, being of advantage over devices employing approximately two gears for each change of speed obtained.-

In the following examples, the relative simplicity is still more maflted. For con vemence, I shall make use of certain terms 'which I will here explain, as they are meant in connection with the subject. The different shafts are -made the basis of classification, and the gears themselves are treated merely as the means that operatively connect the shafts, in whatever series the shafts are to be combined. The relative SIZES of the gears thus fornnng these connections of course determine the ultimate speed derived, and it will be understood that these may be varied according to the results to be obtained, and assorted in any one device in such a manner that,.in connection with the different combinations, not only of gears, but of shafts, a gradation of speeds, from the lowest to the highest, is provided, without duplicating any of the speeds. These considerations, as we l as the minor details of any application of my invention, being those of engineering and mechanical -skill, need no extended treatise herein. Making the shafts, then, the basis of classification, I shall designate a combination as primary if it consists of only one shaft, or, as is really the case herein, two shafts turning directly together, at the same speed, as connected by the clutch, in each of the previous,

as well as the following. examples. In the same manner, a combination of two shafts, as of the power shaft and a lay shaft, without the work shaft. in any or the previous or following examples. would be designated as binary; however, such a combination, simply, does not occur in a device involving the principles of my invention. The combination of the power shaft, the lay shaft, and the work shaft, as in all of the previous examples, I shall designate as ternary. A. quartcrnary combination, having four shafts in series, and a q-uinary combination, having five shafts in series, will be referred to; also,,. as in Fig. 11, and as touchedon in Fig. 8, with idler-and internal gear combined, partaking of the nature of the ex amples of Figs. 4, 6 and7 as well as of those of Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, a combination of six shafts in series w1ll be presented, which, for lack of an accepted term, will be referred to as super-quinary. In Fig. 6, then, there is a power shaft 41 and a work shaft 42, in alinement, but not with their ends adjacent, and there are two lay shafts 43 and 44, flanking-the shafts 41 and 42, andparallel with them, one being closer to the alined shafts'than is the other, as in Fig. 5.

Between the separated ends of the alined shafts 41 and 42,in alinement with them, is a fifth shaft 45, which, as will be seen, is of various utility, and which I shall call a sub-shaft, for sake of brevity. All the shafts have suitable bearings, as illustrated.

The power shaft has the gears 41, 41 and 41 keyed on it, the work shaft 42 has the internal gear 42 splined on it and moved by a fork 42, while the lay shafts have .gears 43, 43 and 43, and gears 44,

44 and 44, respectively, to mesh with the gears on the power shaft. These shafts also have the gears 43, 43 and 43, and the gears 44, 44 and 44, to mesh with gears-, 45 and 45?, keyed on the sub-shaft 45, respectively. All the above mentioned gears on "the. lay shafts 43 and 44 are individually slidable, and each has a fork 43 or 44', as the ase may be. The internal gear 42 has spur-gear teeth on its periphery, as well as its internal teeth, this part of the gear being designated as the gear 42". The shaft 43 has the gear or pinion 43 integral with it, and meshing with the internal part of the gear, 4%, while the shaft 44 has a gear or pinion 44 that meshes with the external part of the gear, 42 This pinion 44" is splined o'nthe shaft 44, and moved by a fork A clutch 41 will connect the power shaft to the sub-shaft, and a clutch 45 will connect the sub-shaft. to the work shaft; these clutches have forks41' and 45', respectively.

The section in Fig. represents the arrangement above described, with the addition "ofthe third lay shaft 46, having gears 46, 46 and 46 splined on it, to mesh with the gears 41, 41. and 41 on the power shaft, and having gears ,46', 46 and 46 splined on 'it, to

mesh with! the gears-45, 45 and 45, on the sub-shaft respectivelyi has a ge r or pinion 46, splined on 1t, to

mesh with the external part of the gear, '42.

Each of the gears 46, 46, 46, 46 44, 4c and 46, has a'fork 46, as indicated;

' The diagram in Fig. 8 will enable the subsequent explanation of the different combinations available withthe devices of Figs. 6 and 7, intelligible. 'Referring'to Fig. 6, and with reference to this diagram, the refdevice illustrated in 'vertical cross.

This shaft 46 also."

erence letters d, Z and p, and 7,8, t, 11,1 eand 'w'onlyare observed,

the remaining letters gjh, i,=; k,. q, a, 51 and 2 having referencetoltheexample of F1g47, to be considered lateiglf Making use of the a prime clutchesare ngage d,;. agd'ithistspeed on the work} am hi 'ibefthe' 'same speed,

is engagedi'janjd njis' open, and with either-*of th'e the'laysli'aft lnfis d gram: The i combination I with.'the power. slit.

at'the ends of rgp'in the diate'ring intothe esub-shaft, along, thlvvl ichv it mms; either-"one of theilay' -"shaft s,and the work},

, terms beforej ',explai ned, then;there will be combination: when I the two shaft Any oneof the-siirgears on. the two lay shafts meshing withrtlie three gears, re-y-l" spectively, on. the sub-ishaft," may be used,f so that six speeds are afi'ordd for the work. shaft, designated, from the, diagram, the

latter three being of'reverse motion: T1, .21, tl, up, '07) and am. The secondternary combination will be had with the clutch at m open andthe clutch "at a closed, rendering the sub-shaftunitary with the work shaft;

Three different connections between the power shaft and either lay shaft, and four.

'between either lay shaft and the unitary sub-shaft and work shaft are available, making possible twenty-four speeds of the work shaft, the last three being of reversemotion,'designat ed: am, 121%, cm, asn, bsn, can,

'oneflay shaft proper over to the opposite one, The pinions at the ends of the lay shafts are made to coiiperate with the gears {at the respective opposite sides of, the device at the, opposite orpower end thereof, de-

termining which lay shaft shall precede in the series. Thus, each lay shaft may derive three speeds from the power shaft, and

the sub-shaft may derive three speeds from any one speed of either lay shaft: since the gears on this subsshaft are secured together,

it will be seen that the sub-shaft maytransmit any speed it derives from onelay shaft to the opposite lay shaft rendered into three different speeds, to be from there transmitted to the work shaft through thefexternal or the internal part of the gear therev on, as the casemiay be, and thereby detel-mining the d rection of motion, Thus,

twenty-seven forward andvtwenty-seven 1'9- messes verse speeds are imparted to the Work shaft, ,p sied, respectively dew-'2, dusi, d'uzl, (ZWZ,

5' l 13, dwrZ, dwcl, dim/Z; curl, eusZ, eutZ, cm 1/ evsi, eTtZ, marl, eevsl, ewtZ, furZ', fuel, futi, f-WZ, f-reZ, foil, fw'rZ, fwsl, frail; and

eighty-fire different conditions of transmis- 1 Q v sion. era-icing toe gear on the nork shaft,

internal and external. as two gears, there is total or twenty two gears used, and the "e simplicity of the device illustrated reduction of an idler, either the power end, as signified in or o hoth sides at this end, or on one or both sides at the work end, between sulrshsf and lay shaft, a combination is yled snperouinary,

ed that may be st fore alluded to, mierenpon the idler and the internal gear neutralize each other,

and the reverse speeds are obtained from the side 3 the work end opposite from that in the .e mole just explained. Designating this idler by in Fig. 8, the supcr-quinary coznhinat r= will afford speeds designated: 7 r21; 9 670814;), bihsvjp, Mrswp; ,ct'wp; all of which are for Since the idler causes the 'owjr to mesh with a difin) shaft than. the one a new series of speeds mg the pinion at Z, or "i at n and meshingany, gears on the sub-shaft with the respe tiv gear on the lay shaft. These speeds will all be of reverse motion, as derived 1 the simple use of the idler, and are lured, respectively: 22M and 57cm, bicsn, This will be, in elfect, a quaternary series, or, for sake of uniformity, may be termed a super-ternary series. Both series add nine forward and four reverse speeds to those attainable by the other combinations just explained, or a total of thirteen different conditions of transmission, making the relative simplicity of the entire device, with both idler and internal gear: 98 S123 G.

Further referring to the diagram in Fig. 8, with reference to the example of Fig. 7, the third lay shaft will add Tthrec speeds in the ternary series, twelve in the second ternary series, and in the qninery cs'ug), cswp; amp, atop, (may),

series the number of speeds will be tripled. Thus, in the first ternary series, the new speeds are designated, from the letters reserved in Fig. 8: avg, yg andzq, all being of forward motion. In the second ternary, those added are designated, all being of forward motion: gem, hmn, z'mn, gyn, hyn, 2 3 72,, gen, 71272., 2%, and 99, kg, z'g.

In the quinary series of combinations, the new speeds are derived, not only by the cooperation of the added lay shaft with either one of the first two lay shafts, but of them with it, so that the new speeds are designated: mung, org away; any, a.syg,.aseg; j

f Ll: a qf 7/9 9: 58mg, l/Qa bs'eg; 525mg, btg g, 5625 0mg, org/ Crag; m9; 349, 9; e re e; e e/9 dueg; dvzcg, cZ'vyg, d-vzg; dwaeg, d'wyg, dwzg; eu ng, euy r, euzg; eoezg, cog g, eozg; ewwg, w. 9; rm. f z/Q, We; fi r. f w. f uzg; fwmg, fwyg, fwzg; and greed, f wsl, xz'l; gig Tl, gysl, yytl; gzrZ, gzsl, gzr'l; hwrl, heel, heel; lily 7'2, lag s2, hg ZZ; iizrl, hzsZ, hail; 55rd, @1281, 21x51, ig TZ, e'y sl, ig tl; e'zrhe'zsi, z'ztl; 9 r 2 (n w; If/"Z 7 r p r r; gzup, gze'p, gen/p; imup, Zia-yup, b40107); layup, @yop, f g p; hf 326,17, keep, ]?:2ZU]7,' Z UZl-[?, Z wl p, aarwp; zyup, zy'up, zy-wp; zzup, 2211p, zzwp; the last twentyseven of which are of reverse motion. Summing up these added speeds, and aggregating them with the eighty-five speeds accredited to the device of Fig. 6 without the idler, there is a total of ninetysix forward and twenty-seven reverse speeds added, so that the device of Fig. affords a total of one hundred and forty-eight forward and sixty reverse speeds, or two hundred and eight different conditions of transmission, and its relative simplicity is expressed: 08 S129 G.

In Fig. 11, an example illustrating the combination of the idler and the internal gear .11 a single device, before alluded to, and considered in connection with the above devices, the power shaft 51 has slidable gears Si and 51 While the work shaft 52 has gears 52 and 52. The single lay shaft 53 has gears 53 and 53 to mesh with the gears 51* and 5 1*, respectively, and gears 53 and 55 to-mesh with the gears 52 and 52", respectively. The powernnd work shafts may be directly connected by a clutch 51, and

an internal gear 52 may mesh with a pinion .nary combinations with the idler employed. Thus,-observing the reference letters of Fig. 11, the-speeds of the ternary seriesare: aw, ay, be, by andag, be, the last two being of reverse motion. Those of the quaternary series are: blow, bky. and b-kq, the first two beingof reverse motion, derived through the idler. Also, of course, the primaryor direct speed of the power shaft is transmittedto the work shaft by engaging the clutch at m, Summing up these speeds, there is a total ofsix forward andfour reverse speeds, are total of ten different conditions, and the relative simplicity of the device is: 10 S- 11 G, which, though not so I marked, closelyfapproachesan average of a speed to eachi jgear, and at the-same time employsfewenough gears to render it suits mission mechanism.

able for certainjusesnot involvingsa large number of "speed. changes and requiring fewness of parts, as in an automobile trans Fig. 9iillustrates a drill press provided with a device. similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7, the reference characters serving to I 5 indicate the relative arrangement'of the device on the drill, which, being of well known design, need not be particularly described. In Fi '10 the application of the'example of Fig. is made to the spindle of the lathe,

while a device similar to that of Fig. "6 is introduced into the means for driving the lead screw and. the apron-feed, used for Elmira-turning? The. spindle of the lathe as.,th'e gear 67,- and the gear 68, meshing therewith, is on the work shaft: of the-variablespeed mechanism, the power {shaft 41 (having the pulley 69, by which the entire machine is driven. The lathe spindle has another gear 77, meshing with a gear 78 on the'power shaft of theother variable speed mechanism, on the work shaft of ,which is a pgejar 79. The; details ofthese mechanisms may be identified through the reference characters, referring to Figs. 7 and 6, re-

spectively. A gear 87 is on the lead screw used'in screw-cuttin and a yoke 88 carries unitary-concentric ilers 88 and 88f. .The idl'er88fconstantlv meshes with the gear 79,*and [nay mesh withthe gear 87 when thelyok e israised; when the yoke is-lowered, v.thefi'd r 8.87 may mesh with another idler Lence between v, .129, drlL "than of gears, -than-G do s,'-;as the number of gears, G, is"

increased. For instance, the; great difi'er-. I theexamples ofhgigs. 6 and 7;

ing the'feed-rod through its gear 97,

or, pl in turning, The lathe, of well known gn, ne ed hot be further. described.

ons deration "of thevarious examples ll-make it understood that the ability to ompound-therinzios results in a much more apid increase inpossible speed variations ,6. e sincreases more rapidly d, furthermore," where 7 Willfiliof Shafts remain. he .aaaysmre garsbeingunita ry, a

gears are providedat either or both ends of a the device. Thus, n the example of Fig. 6,

the addition of three'gears at each end, making six gears added, results in a relative simplicity of: 177 S 28 G. A further s1m1- lar addition results 321 S 34 Gg'and, again: 529 S 40 G. Further moderate .in-

crease of G results in enormous increase 'of S,- to far higherdegree than could' be utilized. However, such examples indicate the distinctiveness of character of my novel principle of combining gears to attain high numbers of speed variations in. apractical manner. Therefore, I do not wish "to be understood 'as limiting myself to the details of the examples given, but

;What I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Pat ent'is:

Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of members coiiperative in series, means for changlng' the operative connection of each member with each member ad jacent to it'inthe series, and means for combining some of the changeable operative connec tjbons whereby the individual operative efiec 2. Variable speed mechanism comprising .a plurality of shafts cooperative in series,

three of said shafts'being in alinement, a series of interchangeable. gears operatively .of each connection thus combined is eliminated.

connecting each of said shafts with each I aplurality of shafts coiiperative in series, a

"series of interchangeable gears operatively connecting each of said shafts with each 'shaft adjacent to it in the series, an idler gear adapted to beintroduced into one of said series of gears by such interchange ably introduced into another .of said series of gears, Wherebv the individual reversing effects of said. idler gear are eliminated.

thereof, and an internalgear interchange- 1-1'o gear and said integnal 4. Variable speed mechanism comprising i a plurality of .shafts coiiperative in series,

a series of interchangeable gears operatively connecting each of the shafts with each shaft 1 ad acent to it in the series, an internal gear 1 adapted to be -meshed with or unmeshed from one of the gears of one of said -'s'ha-fts, and meansfor compelling alternative utilization of said internal gears of said series.

gear with the-other.

5. Variable speed mechanism-comprisinga plurality of shafts cooperative njseries, a series of engageable and disengageable gears operatively connecting each of the shafts with each shaft adjacent to it in the. series some ofv the gears of one of hbendentlycngageab e and disengageahle a d-serie ear of said series 4111 J18) with respect to said unitary gears, a notched member movable through engagement or disengagement of said unitary. gears, and a cam ha ing parts to enter notches in said member when said gears are. disengaged, said cam allowing engagement of said independently engageable and disengageable gear when its parts enter the notches,.but

'preventing such engagement when said parts are out of said notches.

6. Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of shafts cooperative in series, a series of gears alternatively operatively connecting each of said shafts with each shaft adjacent to it in the series, and clutches for rendering one of the shafts unitary with others of said shafts alternatively with the operative connection of said gears.

'7. Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of shafts coiiperative in series, some of said shafts being in alinement, a series of gears alternatively operati ely con necting each of said shafts with each shaft adjacent to it in the series, and clutches for rendering the alined shafts unitary, alter natively with the operative connection of said gears. V

8. Variable speed mechanism comprising a quinary combination of shafts cooperative in series, three of said shafts being in alinemeat, and means for alternatively effecting primary or ternary combination of some of said shafts.

9. Variable speed mechanism comprising three alined shafts and parallel flanking lay shafts, and means forming changeable operative connection between either of the lay shafts and each of the alined shafts.

10. Variable speed mechanism comprising three alined shafts and parallel flanking lay shafts, and means for alternatively effecting primary, ternary or quinary combination between some of said shafts.

11. Variable speed mechanism comprising three shafts in alinement and three other shafts parallel to the alined shafts, and means for operatively connecting the alined shafts through any one of the'other three shafts.

12. Variable speed mechanism comprising three shafts in alinement and three other shafts parallel to the alined shafts, means for operatively connecting the alined shafts by operative connection from each of them to any one of the other three shafts, and means for changing the operative cone'ction between some of the shafts thus connected.

13. Variable speed mechanism comprisingthree shafts in alinement and three other shafts parallel to the alined shafts, means i 14. Variable speed mechanism comprising .three shafts in alinement andother shafts 15; Variable speed mechanism comprising 7 a plurality of shafts in alinement and a plurality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts, means for operatively connecting the alined shafts through any of the parallel shafts, means for changing the operative connections whereby different compounds of their effects are obtained, and means for rendering different combinations of the alined shafts unitary.

16. Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of shafts in alinement and a plurality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts, means for operatively connecting the alined shafts through any of the parallel shafts, means for connecting some of the alined shafts throughanother one of said alined shafts in series with some of said parallel shafts, and means for changing the operative connections between the shafts.

17. Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of shafts in alinement and a plurality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts, 'means for operatively connecting the alined shafts through any of the parallel shafts in series, means for "connecting some of the alined shafts througlr another one of said alined shafts in series with some of said parallel shafts, and means for changing the operative connection between each two adjacent shafts in a series.

18. Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of shafts in alinement and a plu- 'rality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts,

means for operatiyely connecting the alined shafts through any of the parallel shafts in series, means for connecting some of the alined shafts through another one of the alined shaftsin series with some of the parallel shaft-s, means for changing the operative connection between each two adjacent shafts in a series, and means for rendering some of the alined shafts unitary.

19. Variable speed mechanism comprising a. plurality of shafts in alinement and a plurality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts, interchangeable gears connecting some of said parallel shafts to some of said alined shafts, and means for rendering one of the alined shafts intermediate of the parallel shafts in a series connecting the other alined shafts through. the interchangeable gears.

20. Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of shafts in alinement and a plurality of shaftsparallel to the alined shafts, interchangeable gears connecting some of said parallel shafts to some of said alined. shafts, means for rendering one of the lined shaftsll'i'li ring said one. of the v y one or another or hotl 1 'oftlie alinedghafts cdnnected by it as aforesaid.

' 21"; Variable mechanism comprising a plurality of. shafts in alinement and a plu- 1 rality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts,

changeable ".operative connection between 3 some" of the parallel shafts and some of the alined shafts'y'and means .for connecting or disconnecting each two adjacent alined 1|; shafts. a

' '22. Variable speed mechanism comprising a. plurality of shafts in alinement anda plurality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts, changeable operative connection between each parallel shaft and each alined shaft,-

, Y of the alined shafts and said parallel shafts,-

'wliereby power may be transmitted from 8'6either of-said other alined shafts through either 'of the parallel shafts, said one of the alined shafts and the other parallel shafts l to theremaining alined shaft. v i 24. Variable speed mechanism comprising 40 a plurality \of alined shafts and a-plurality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts, means for operatively-connecting each shaft to any anther shaft, an'dmeans for changing each operative connection. 7

46 ""25. Variable speedmechanism comprising ,a plurality of alined shafts, one of which is e gwo'rk shaft and anotherof which is the ,wer'fshaft, and a plurality of shafts parallyto'gthe alined shafts, and means for efbinations of said she fts, to operate in series. I 26. Variable speed mechanism comprising "'a plurality of alined shafts and a plurality "of shaftsparallel to the alined shafts, means for effecting primary, ternary and quinary combinations of said shafts, to operate in ,series, and means for reversing'operation through the'ternary and quinary combinaa plurality of alined shaftsand-a plurality combinations of said shafts, --to' op.er ate in 1,. series, ancl means for effecting a quaternary as the-samurai heather i e ll qh ghble gears, 4 j t of shafts parallelto-the'alined shafts, means for efie'ctmg primary, ternary andquinary,

I e'shaftsto operate re- {28.11, ariafble s d mechanism comprising .a. plurality of ed shafts and a plurality i of shafts-parallel tothe alined shafts, inter-- changeable gears adapted for effecting ternary and quinary combinations of said shafts, and clutches adapted for effecting a primary combination of said alined shafts.

2.9. Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of alined shafts and a plurality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts, inter: changeable external gears adapted for effecting ternary and quinary combinations of "said shafts, clutches adapted for effecting a primary combination of thealined shafts,

and an internal gear on one of the alined shafts and a gear on one of the parallel shafts meshing with said' internal gear, for reversing operation through the ternary and quinary combinations.

. 30. Variable speed mechanismcomprising a plurality of alined shafts, interchangeable external gears adapted, for effecting ternary and quinary combinations of said shafts, an idler gear to be interposed between an alined shaft and a parallel shaft, to reverse operation through said combinations, an internal gear on one of said alined shafts and a gear on one of said parallel shafts meshing with said internalgear, for reversing operation through said combinations, and means gear are introduced simultaneously, and whereby they neutralize thereversing efl'ect, each of the other, in said combinations.

whereby said idler gear and said internal .31. Variable speed mechanism comprising/ a power shaft, a sub-shaft, anda work shaft in alinem'ent in the order; mentioned, a p'luralityof layshafts parallel to the La'lined shafts, interchangeable gears operatively connecting each lay shaft to the power shaft, interchangeable gears operatively connecting each-lay shaft to the sub-shaft, operative connection between the lay shafts and 1he work shaft, a clutch connecting the vpower shaft to' the sub-shaft, a clutch con necting tlie-sub-shaft-to the work shaft,

4 whereby prima combination of the alined fectlng primary, ternary and quinary com a s through said clutches to the exclusion of the interchangeable gears or of the 'operative connection between the lay shafts and the work shaft, or of: both, may be effected and whereby ternary and quinary comi binations of said, shafts through said interchangeable gears, to the exclusion of either 32. Variable'speed mechanism comprisin a power shaft, a sub-shaft, and a work she 'in alinement in the order mentioned, a plurality of lay shafts parallel to the alined shafts, interchangggeablev gears operatively one or both of said clutches, maybe effected.

ternal gear on the work shaft and a gear on one of the lay shafts meshing with said in ternal gear, an external gear on said work shaft and a gear on another of the lay shafts to mesh with said external gear, and an idler introduced between one of said alined shafts and the lay shaft that has the gear meshing with the internal gear.

34. Variable speed mechanism comprising a plurality of 'alined shafts and-a plurality of shafts parallel to the alined shafts, unitary gears on an intermediate one of the alined shafts, gears on each parallel shaft respectively engageahle with the unitary gears, and respectively engageable gears operatively connecting each lay shaft to others of said alined shafts, whereby quinary combinations of said parallel andalined shafts may be effected through the unitary gears on the intermediate one of said alined-shafts. 35. Variable speed mechanism compr sing three alined shafts, clutches connecting either two adjacent ones of said shafts to rotate together, whereby simultaneous operation of said clutches may connect all of said shafts to rotate together, or dissimultaneous operation may connect either two adjacent ones of said shafts to rotate'together, and separate individual exterior bearings for the respective shafts, flanking the respective clutches.

36. Variable speed mechanism comprising alined shafts, a shaft parallel to the alined shaft, changeable operative connection between each alined shaft and the parallel shaft, a clutch-to render two alined shafts unitary, and separate individual exterior bearings for the respective alined shafts, flanking said clutch.

37. Variable speed mechanism comprising parallel shafts, gears on the respective shafts meshing together, other gears on the respective shafts meshing together, of different ratio from the aforementioned gears, and an idler interposed between the lesser of the two gears on the respective shafts, some of said gears being movable to allow the introduction of said idler.

38. Variable speed mechanism comprising a pair of unitary gears, one less than the other, a. lesser gear to mesh with the greater of the pair and a greater gear to mesh with the lesser of the pair, said meshinggears ,last .mentioned being stationary against lateral movement and the unitary gears being laterally slidable to mesh or unmesh with the last mentioned gears, an idler gear laterally slidable to mesh with both the lesser gears. a fork to slide the unitary gears, a fork to slide the idler gear, connection between the forks allowing loss of motion between them such that the lesser of the unitary gears will remain unmeshed from said idler gear until it has become unmeshed from the greater gear with which it meshes, and until the greater of said unitary gears has become unmeshed from the lesser gear with which -it meshes, and such that said idler gear will then remain stationary'until the lesserof said unitary gears has meshed with it, but such that said idler gear will then .be

moved with said unitary gears, remaining in mesh with said lesser gear, until it has meshed with the other lesser gear, substantially set forth.

39. Variable speed mechanism comprising a powershaft, a series of gears thereon of different diameter, lay shafts, a series of gears on each lay shaft, complementary to and meshing with respective gears on the power shaft, a sub-shaft inalinement with the power shaft,-a series of gears thereon, another series of gears on each lay shaft, complementary to and meshing with respective gears on the sub-shaft, a work shaft,

gears thereon, a gear on each lay shaft to mesh with the gear on the work shaft, each of the gears in each of said series, and of the gears on the work shaft, and of the gears on the lay shafts meshing therewith, being of different diameter, and each'lay shaft being at a difi'erent distance from said alined power and sub-shafts, and means formeshing and unmeshing. said gears for effecting ternary and quinary combinations of said shafts in series, the gears on said sub-shaft being unitary, whereby the motion of said sub-shaft, as derived in a quinary combination, may be manifested through any of said gears thereon, for the purposes set forth.

l0. Thecmnhination with a main spindle and a lead screw of a lathe, of a gear on the main spindle, a variable speed mechanism.

having a power shaft and a work shaft, a gear on the work shaft meshing with the gear on the main spindle, means for driving the power shaft of said mechanism, to drive the lathe, another gear on the main spindle, another variable speed mechanism having a power shaft and a work shaft, a gear on the power shaft of this mechanism meshing with the other gear on the main spindle, and operative connection between said work shaft of this mechanism and said lead screw of the lathe.

41. The combination with a main spindle and a lead screw of a lathe, of variable speed and means for eifectlng prim 'mechanism forming operative connection therebetween and comprising a series of shafts and meanslto effect primary, ternary and quinary combinations of said shafts.

42. The combination with a main spindle and a lead screw of a lathe, of variable speed I mechanism for driving said main spindle,

and another variable speed mechanism formting operative connection between. the main .and the lead screwi each of said spmd e mechanisms comprising a series of shafts 'ary, ternary and ,qumary combinations of the respective mechanisms.

eithe f of said feeding said sl afts I in spiijidlegrand means for alternatively connecting said mechanism'm elements; said" mechanism comprising a seriesflof shafts and means for efi'ecting primary, ternary and quinary combinations of said shafts.

Witnessesf 1 j CLARENCE Pniionw," W.JMcGmnm2 

